Authors And Books Trivia Knowledge! Quiz

1. News Corp is not a media conglomerate--unlike Viacom or Time Warner--because its various businesses never overlap in terms of profits or incentives.

True

False

The explanation for the answer "False" is that News Corp is indeed a media conglomerate, similar to Viacom or Time Warner. The statement in the question is incorrect, as News Corp's various businesses do overlap in terms of profits or incentives.

Explanation

The explanation for the answer "False" is that News Corp is indeed a media conglomerate, similar to Viacom or Time Warner. The statement in the question is incorrect, as News Corp's various businesses do overlap in terms of profits or incentives.

2. In the book, That Used to Be Us, Thomas Friedman argues that a commitment to education, innovation, and work ethic is on the decline in countries such as China, India, and Brazil.

True

False

The given answer is False because the statement in the question is incorrect. Thomas Friedman actually argues that the commitment to education, innovation, and work ethic is on the decline in the United States, not in countries like China, India, and Brazil.

Explanation

The given answer is False because the statement in the question is incorrect. Thomas Friedman actually argues that the commitment to education, innovation, and work ethic is on the decline in the United States, not in countries like China, India, and Brazil.

3. Rupert Murdoch is originally from _____________.

Rupert Murdoch is originally from Australia. This is evident from his birthplace, which is Melbourne, Australia. He is an Australian-born media mogul and businessman who built a global media empire, including News Corp and Fox Corporation. Murdoch's Australian heritage is well-known and he has had a significant impact on the media landscape in Australia and around the world.

Explanation

Rupert Murdoch is originally from Australia. This is evident from his birthplace, which is Melbourne, Australia. He is an Australian-born media mogul and businessman who built a global media empire, including News Corp and Fox Corporation. Murdoch's Australian heritage is well-known and he has had a significant impact on the media landscape in Australia and around the world.

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4. Mimi Ito describes the trajectory of participation for young learners as one of Hanging Out, Messing Around, and _______ Out.

Mimi Ito describes the trajectory of participation for young learners as one of Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out. This means that after hanging out and casually exploring interests, young learners progress to messing around and experimenting with those interests. Finally, they reach the stage of geeking out, where they become deeply engaged and passionate about their chosen interest, dedicating significant time and effort to it. This term "geeking out" emphasizes the intensity and enthusiasm with which young learners pursue their interests.

Explanation

Mimi Ito describes the trajectory of participation for young learners as one of Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out. This means that after hanging out and casually exploring interests, young learners progress to messing around and experimenting with those interests. Finally, they reach the stage of geeking out, where they become deeply engaged and passionate about their chosen interest, dedicating significant time and effort to it. This term "geeking out" emphasizes the intensity and enthusiasm with which young learners pursue their interests.

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5. All of the following are amongst Niall Ferguson's six killer apps of progress, EXCEPT:

Competition

Science

Property

Religion

Consumerism

Niall Ferguson's six killer apps of progress include competition, science, property, religion, and consumerism. The correct answer is "Religion," as it is not one of the six killer apps mentioned by Ferguson.

Explanation

Niall Ferguson's six killer apps of progress include competition, science, property, religion, and consumerism. The correct answer is "Religion," as it is not one of the six killer apps mentioned by Ferguson.

6. An argument of the book, Free, is that we have seen the rise of the ________ economy, whereby we can all now be public figures and (re)broadcasters.

The correct answer is "reputation". The book argues that with the advent of technology and social media, we are living in a reputation economy. This means that everyone has the ability to build and manage their own reputation online, and that reputation can have a significant impact on various aspects of our lives. In this economy, individuals can become public figures and broadcasters by leveraging their reputation and personal brand through online platforms.

Explanation

The correct answer is "reputation". The book argues that with the advent of technology and social media, we are living in a reputation economy. This means that everyone has the ability to build and manage their own reputation online, and that reputation can have a significant impact on various aspects of our lives. In this economy, individuals can become public figures and broadcasters by leveraging their reputation and personal brand through online platforms.

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7. The following are true of the Long Tail, EXCEPT:

"The misses are becoming as profitable as the hits."

Falling distribution and inventory costs enable it.

Brick and mortar stores selling popular albums use it.

Netflix is said to have exploited a long tail strategy.

The correct answer is "Brick and mortar stores selling popular albums use it." This statement contradicts the concept of the Long Tail, which suggests that niche products or less popular items can be just as profitable as popular ones. Brick and mortar stores typically focus on selling popular items with high demand, rather than catering to niche markets.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Brick and mortar stores selling popular albums use it." This statement contradicts the concept of the Long Tail, which suggests that niche products or less popular items can be just as profitable as popular ones. Brick and mortar stores typically focus on selling popular items with high demand, rather than catering to niche markets.

8. At the initial hearing for the phone hacking scandal, Rupert Murdoch, shocked the world--and blindsided the prosecution's case--by announcing his retirement from NewsCorp.

True

False

The statement is false because there is no mention of Rupert Murdoch announcing his retirement from NewsCorp at the initial hearing for the phone hacking scandal. The statement only mentions that he shocked the world and blindsided the prosecution's case, but it does not provide any information about his retirement.

Explanation

The statement is false because there is no mention of Rupert Murdoch announcing his retirement from NewsCorp at the initial hearing for the phone hacking scandal. The statement only mentions that he shocked the world and blindsided the prosecution's case, but it does not provide any information about his retirement.

9. All of the following are true of the Web is Dead, Long Live the Internet article EXCEPT:

The traditional internet has already been overtaken by the development of mobile apps.

Research shows the proportion of all US Internet traffic that is web browser based to be increasing.

The previous free-wheeling nature of the Web is coming to an end.

The correct answer is "Research shows the proportion of all US Internet traffic that is web browser based to be increasing." This statement contradicts the main argument of the article, which is that the traditional web is dying and being replaced by mobile apps and dedicated platforms. The article argues that the web is losing its dominance and that dedicated platforms are becoming more popular. Therefore, the statement that web browser-based internet traffic is increasing goes against the main premise of the article.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Research shows the proportion of all US Internet traffic that is web browser based to be increasing." This statement contradicts the main argument of the article, which is that the traditional web is dying and being replaced by mobile apps and dedicated platforms. The article argues that the web is losing its dominance and that dedicated platforms are becoming more popular. Therefore, the statement that web browser-based internet traffic is increasing goes against the main premise of the article.

10. In the book, The New Culture of Learning, John Seely Brown argues all of the following EXCEPT:

Given today's accelerating pace of change, autodidacticism is less important than in the past.

Understanding play is critical to understanding learning.

Innovation is more important than ever – but turns on our ability to cultivate imagination.

The world is changing faster than ever and our skill sets have a shorter life.

The book, The New Culture of Learning, argues that autodidacticism is still important despite the accelerating pace of change. It emphasizes the importance of self-directed learning in a rapidly changing world. The book also highlights the significance of understanding play in the learning process and the role of imagination in fostering innovation. Additionally, it acknowledges the increasing speed of change and the decreasing lifespan of our skill sets, indicating that adaptability and continuous learning are crucial in this context.

Explanation

The book, The New Culture of Learning, argues that autodidacticism is still important despite the accelerating pace of change. It emphasizes the importance of self-directed learning in a rapidly changing world. The book also highlights the significance of understanding play in the learning process and the role of imagination in fostering innovation. Additionally, it acknowledges the increasing speed of change and the decreasing lifespan of our skill sets, indicating that adaptability and continuous learning are crucial in this context.

11. All of the following are currently owned by News Corp, EXCEPT:

Wall Street Journal

IGN

Fox News

MySpace

News Corp currently owns the Wall Street Journal, IGN, and Fox News. However, MySpace is not owned by News Corp.

Explanation

News Corp currently owns the Wall Street Journal, IGN, and Fox News. However, MySpace is not owned by News Corp.

12. Niall Ferguson and Thomas Friedman agree that China's model of authoritarian government combined with a capitalistic economy will lead to its inevitable ascension to overtake the United States and become the world's foremost superpower.

True

False

Niall Ferguson and Thomas Friedman do not agree that China's model of authoritarian government combined with a capitalistic economy will lead to its inevitable ascension to overtake the United States and become the world's foremost superpower. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

Explanation

Niall Ferguson and Thomas Friedman do not agree that China's model of authoritarian government combined with a capitalistic economy will lead to its inevitable ascension to overtake the United States and become the world's foremost superpower. Therefore, the correct answer is False.